Introduction

A Summary of Adult Literacy and Basic Education in the NWT

In the north, the history of adult literacy and basic education spans about
fifty years. During that time, many changes have occurred in adult programs
as a result of an on-going process of developing, reflecting on, and reviewing
goals, activities and outcomes.

In recent years, there have been significant changes, too, in the field of
literacy. These include defining literacy more broadly, developing new forms
of programs, and promoting the importance of literacy more vigorously. These
changes stem partly from interventions related to literacy, such as:

The Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) Literacy Strategy

The GNWT’s Early Childhood Development Framework for Action, with
its emphasis on the role of parents in children’s literacy development

The GNWT’s Aboriginal Language Strategy

The NWT Literacy Council’s focus on family literacy

The increased emphasis on literacy in schools

The involvement of the private sector in support of literacy.

The changes have brought new opportunities for adult educators to tie programs
more closely to learners’ needs by expanding the types of programs offered
in the north. Today adult literacy programs include: